The political power of the mayor of New Orleans is under attack. In the past two months, Democratic state lawmakers have sponsored a series of bills that would dilute the authority of Mayor LaToya Cantrell – and any future New Orleans mayor – over boards that control public housing, regional transit, emergency dispatch and the Downtown Development District. A task force appointed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry recently threatened a state takeover of the Sewerage and Water Board, while Louisiana State Police officers, who report to the state, will once again patrol New Orleans.